West Seattle, Washington
20 Sunday
Before we get further into Friday, quick highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STUDENT DONATION DRIVE FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: Noon-3 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, here’s what you can help Seattle Lutheran High School student Macey Crooks with:
For a service project I will be collecting crayons, markers and coloring books to give to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I have my first drive on the August 21st at Hiawatha Community Center from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. All contributions of the above items are welcome, as well as dollar donations where all proceeds will go toward the hospital.
(2700 California SW)
CELEBRATING SPAIN: Flamenco and tapas at Brookdale West Seattle, 4-6 pm, open to the public but please RSVP – our calendar listing explains how. (4611 35th SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ GARDEN PARTY: 6 pm at Bethaday Community Learning Space in Lakewood Park, join this area’s largest political organization for its biggest annual fundraiser – dinner, auction, and more, themed “The Roaring ’20s.” (605 SW 108th)
FREE MOVIE NIGHT: 6:15 pm kids’ short, 7 pm main feature at Highland Park Improvement Club – let’s just say, it’ll be incredible! Movie’s free. Bring $ for concessions. More info on the HPIC website. (12th SW & Holden)
DUWAMISH REVEALED PRESENTS ‘SIGNAL’: Rachel Green‘s performance is at T-107 Park in West Seattle tonight, 7 pm, described as “site-specific multimedia performance exploring growth and rebirth.” (4750 W. Marginal Way SW)
MOUNT CONCERT POSTPONED: If you missed the announcement yesterday – Providence Mount St. Vincent has postponed tonight’s scheduled outdoor concert with Danny Vernon‘s Elvis tribute. He’ll perform instead on September 10th.
9:46 AM: Thanks for the tips that Guardian One is up over Puget Ridge, with police on the ground near 18th and Dawson. SPD media relations tells us they’re looking for an assault suspect in a suspected case of domestic violence.
10:02 AM: Our crew reports the helicopter is still up and while there’s a significant police presence in the area, including K-9, Dawson (which takes a much-used turn through that area, between Puget Ridge and North Delridge) remains open.
10:48 AM: Guardian One has moved on, but no arrest is reported yet.
11 AM: Commenters have been asking about whether the closest schools that have Kindergarten Jump Start this week – Pathfinder, Sanislo, and Arbor Heights at Boren are each about 1 mile away – were in lockdown or shelter-in-place; some say they received notice that Pathfinder was, but Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Stacy Howard tells WSB, “We’ve just told them to lock their front doors. No shelter-in-place.”
One more show ahead for this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series – but last night’s won’t soon be forgotten:
That’s Ayron Jones, who with his band The Way was in the middle of a Jimi Hendrix riff when we arrived at the park about midway through last night’s show, which truly rocked. Missed it? Here’s video of their original song “My Love Remains”:
Lots of showmanship as well as solid music – Jones went out into the crowd at one point; at another, as shown in the photo below, shared by Brian O – who declared this “best concert of the series” – played his guitar with a drumstick:
Busy schedule for the band – which is off to Pullman to play the Lentil Festival tonight, then back toward Puget Sound for a few more metro-area gigs. Read more about them here.
NEXT UP AT SUMMER CONCERTS @ HIAWATHA: Always the biggest turnout of the series – family fave Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm next Thursday (August 27th) on the east lawn, and that’s the series finale. We’re proud to have been a series sponsor again this year, and every year since its start in 2009; check the right side of the series’ main page on the ANA website for the list of other great local businesses making this free music possible, and if you’ve enjoyed it, consider telling them “thanks”! (The roster includes four that are also WSB sponsors: Metropolitan Market, Curious Kidstuff, Thunder Road Guitars, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate.)
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:48 AM: It’s been a quiet commute, regionally as well as locally. So, the weekend reminders:
HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE STARTS TONIGHT: From late tonight until very early Monday (we’ll update if it ends sooner), between the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley St. in lower Queen Anne, Highway 99/Aurora Avenue will be closed so crews can realign it onto a newly built section of road – details and maps here.
ALKI BEACH 5K & OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS: Sunday morning, Alki and Harbor Avenues close for a few hours for the 9 am walk/run to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing. It’s one of the events spotlighted in SDOT’s citywide weekend roundup.
ADDED 10:31 AM: In case anyone else was wondering – a commenter asked about missed 56/57 buses this morning; we asked Metro via Twitter, and here’s the response:
@westseattleblog We worked hard to fill the trip, but a 56 run was canceled due to no operator. The next run was overloaded & skipped a stop
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) August 21, 2015
12:04 PM: A car is reported to have hit a power pole and brought it down in the 5400 block of W. Marginal Way SW. Two people were in the car; no major injuries reported so far.
Quick note – if you happen to find WSB inaccessible at some point in the next few early-early mornings – we’re expecting a bit of after-midnight downtime for technical upgrades. Our 24/7 news commitment continues regardless, so if any breaking news happens during those downtimes, you’ll find info on our social-media channels, primarily Facebook and Twitter. Thanks, and sorry in advance for the inconvenience!
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: From A in Arbor Heights:
I live near the intersection of 35th & 102nd in Arbor Heights. When I got home from work today, my crawl space door was wide open. Fortunately, there is no access to the inside of the house from the crawl space. The intruder may have had other motives, including theft, but was disappointed as everything of value is kept secured. A neighbor driving by stopped to comment that they’d found a knife lying in the street outside my entry, and had thrown it in the bushes. Police and Block Watch have been notified.
MISSING A BICYCLE LOCK? We haven’t received any reader reports of bicycles stolen/found in the past few days, but this morning Vanessa found this snipped lock that might be of interest to someone:
Found this morning at 40th SW and Dawson in the middle of the road. The metal U locks would be a better preventative lock.
The most-recent bicycle theft shown on the police-reports map was reported to have happened in the 3900 block of SW Bradford on Monday night.
(UPDATED FRIDAY AFTERNOON with children’s condition – scroll down)
6:54 PM: Major medical response under way right now at 34th and Morgan – two children are injured and being rushed to Harborview. Scanner traffic indicates a fall from a window.
7 PM: We’ve arrived at the scene. This is actually closer to 34th and Holly and apparently happened in an alley behind a cluster of townhouses on the west side of 34th.
7:04 PM: Via Twitter, SFD confirms a 1-year-old boy and 2 year-old boy fell about 30 feet from a window and are both in serious condition.
7:10 PM: SFD medic units have now rushed both children to Harborview and the remaining SFD units are clearing from the scene.
9:19 PM: We’re not likely to get any further information tonight but will follow up tomorrow.
2:11 PM FRIDAY: We’ve just heard back from Harborview Medical Center, with whom we inquired this morning in hopes of getting an update on the boys. An HMC spokesperson tells WSB they are both in intensive care, both still listed in serious condition.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to everyone who messaged us to ask about police and the medical examiner at the Roxhill Park/Westwood Village bus stop. Here’s what we found out at the scene: Somebody died on a RapidRide C Line bus. The bus driver was going to go take a break when he discovered that a passenger who wasn’t getting off the bus, couldn’t – he was dead. It’s not being investigated as a crime, as there’s no evidence suggesting foul play. All we know at this point is that the dead person is a man, no age estimate.
West Seattle food-and-drink-world notes, starting with tidbits of info about two new establishments:
NEW LEAF BISTRO: That’s the new name shown in public records for the ex-Royal India Grill space that’s been vacant in Admiral since spring of last year, at 2342 California SW. According to a tip from a reader who had encountered the prospective operators (we’ve been going by and haven’t found anyone there yet), it’ll be a Vietnamese restaurant.
DUMPLINGS OF FURY: “Rumors of dumplings” in The Junction erupted in a recent comment thread. Now a liquor-license application tells the tale – Dumplings of Fury, coming to the ex-Quadrato spot at 4302 SW Oregon. The names on the application: The team from Shadowland, almost just across the street.
We’ll be working to find out more about both of those (both of which are seeking beer/wine licenses, not full bars). Also of note:
‘EVENINGS’ AT JUNCTION STARBUCKS: Less than a week ago, when the new Junction Starbucks opened, the company was still saying it hadn’t made a decision about whether it would feature the “Evenings” concept, despite applying for a liquor license two months earlier. Today, John e-mailed us to mention signs up in the shop, and confirmation from a barista, so we checked again with company spokesperson Haley Nieman, who says it’s official – the new store “will begin offering the Evenings menu in late September.” That involves an “expanded menu of shareable small plates” as well as “hand-selected wines and craft beers.” The concept was premiered on Capitol Hill five years ago and is currently in more than 75 stores.
REPAIR CLOSURE AHEAD FOR ELLIOTT BAY: Elliott Bay Brewing Co. manager Amy sends word that EBB will be closed for a few days next week: “Elliott Bay Brewery will be closing for repairs at 9 pm on Sunday 8/23. We will reopen for lunch at 11:00 am on Thursday 8/27.”
Just out of the WSB inbox:
Providence Mount St. Vincent’s Aug. 21st concert featuring Danny Vernon as The Illusion of Elvis has been RESCHEDULED for Thursday, Sept. 10th. All the details are the same; just the date has been changed. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30 pm. Danny will perform from 6 to 7:30 pm.
Our Aug. 28th concert featuring STRUM (Seattle’s Totally Relaxed Ukulele Musicians) will take place as scheduled.
The Mount apologizes for any inconvenience due to this rescheduling.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“I’m not here to promise we’ll fix everything you tell us about,” warned new Seattle Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre as his citywide “listening tour” made its third West Seattle stop last night, at Alki Community Center.
Alki CC coordinator Katie Fridell introduced him to the 20+ or so in attendance (not counting the half-dozen-ish other Parks Department managers and staffers, including Aguirre’s predecessor, longtime acting superintendent Christopher Williams, who is now deputy superintendent).
The bullet-point slide deck with which he began spelled out Parks by the numbers:
(WSB photo from 2014 Alki Beach 5K)
Signed up already for summer’s last big walk/run in West Seattle, the Alki Beach 5K this Sunday? Great! Not signed up yet? Today’s the final full day of online registration – so you can do it here right now. This walk/run benefits West Seattleite-founded-and-led Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps breast-cancer patients, and it’s open to everyone! If you would rather register in person, stop by West Seattle Runner (2742 California SW; WSB sponsor) on Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, during the packet-pickup session, and you can do it then and there, or right before the race, starting at 8 am Sunday by the Alki Bathhouse (60th SW & Alki).
(Peregrine falcon Osprey, photographed by Jordan Petram, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Lots of options for your Thursday afternoon/evening – including:
DELRIDGE GROCERY FARM STAND: Thursday is Farm Stand Day for the Delridge Grocery Co-op (WSB sponsor), 4-7 pm – come see what’s fresh! (5355
SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE PICNIC: 5-9 pm at Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, come celebrate summer with SWS and friends – all welcome! (6000 16th SW)
AYRON JONES & THE WAY @ SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Don’t let the clouds scare you – it’s NOT supposed to be rainy at showtime, 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, with Ayron Jones & The Way onstage as the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s free concert series continues. (Walnut & Lander)
WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK POTLUCK & MEETING: 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting at a residence in Arbor Heights. Curious about Timebanking? This is a great time/place to start finding out. Details in our calendar listing. (3523 SW 112th)
UNPLUGGED! Open-microphone at 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
THE ILLUMINATIO PROJECT: During the aforementioned SWS picnic, The Illuminatio Project will perform an excerpt of their newest work at the Community Orchard of West Seattle, around 8 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by checking our full calendar.
It’s a tax-break offer that many developers have long accepted from the city: If your project’s being built in certain areas, and you allot a certain percentage of units to a certain number of tenants at a certain income level, you can get the residential portion of your building (not the land) exempted from property taxes for 12 years. It’s called the Multi-Family Tax Exemption, and the council soon will have to decide whether to renew it for the fourth time since its inception in 1998. That discussion officially starts with a briefing during the end of this morning’s 9:30 am meeting of the council’s Housing Affordability, Human Services, and Economic Resiliency Committee. It’s a lead-up to a meeting next month at which the committee will consider legislation renewing the program.
Here’s what the committee will be shown and told this morning – first, the slide deck with stats on the program, which it says involves almost 2,000 rental units now, with almost 2,000 more “in the pipeline”:
Here’s the council-staff memo:
Wondering which West Seattle projects got the MFTE? From the newest list on the city website, dated August 14th:
*Altamira
*Blake
*Element 42
*Footprint Avalon (microhousing)
*Footprint Delridge (microhousing)
*Link
*Mural
*Nova
*Oregon 42
*Vue
*Youngstown Flats (WSB sponsor)
The list does NOT include under-construction projects that will be getting the MFTE – the program’s annual report included an expanded list that does, but only as of last December, so some might be missing. The additional projects on that list are:
*Spruce (open now so we’re not sure why it’s not on the first list)
*Admiral East Apartments (on the list as 3210 California)
*3050 Avalon (microhousing)
*Footprint’s Morgan Junction project (microhousing)
*4730 California
*Junction 47
*Trinsic West Seattle
*Lofts at The Junction
*The Whittaker
*Broadstone Sky
*6917 California
*Junction Flats
Right now, September 20th is the date for the committee to look at renewal legislation. If you’re interested in watching this morning’s discussion, the meeting will be live on Seattle Channel, cable channel 21 or online stream; it’s the last item on the agenda.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:23 AM: No incidents in, or headed out of, West Seattle, but showery weather is back and slowing things down in some areas. One big reminder:
HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE: WSDOT is closing Highway 99 in both directions between the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley St. in lower Queen Anne from Friday night to early Monday, to move traffic onto a new section of road – details and maps here. The Alaskan Way Viaduct will remain open, but if you’re heading north, for example, you’ll have to exit at Western.
ADDED 7:42 AM – ‘TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY’ PHOTO: From the Seattle Municipal Archives, an August 1962 view of the then-under-construction Fauntleroy approach to the West Seattle Bridge:
Click the image for a larger view. The archives have a wide variety of related images, including this gathering labeled as groundbreaking at 34th/Fauntleroy just under a year earlier, in September 1961.
8:32 AM: Problem on northbound I-5 downtown:
NB 5 at Mercer a collision blocks 2 right lanes; traffic getting one on ramp. pic.twitter.com/F1xvV0ieWF
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 20, 2015
4:25 PM: Just in case you’ll be on 99 south of the Aurora Bridge this pm:
SR 99 just south of Aurora Bridge, a collision is blocking the left lane in both directions. https://t.co/nFS52sIgvH
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 20, 2015
It’s a tail-wagging prospect: Your dog, on the cover of CityDog Magazine (founded and edited by West Seattleite Brandie Ahlgren)! First step is this Sunday, when the annual CityDog Cover Dog Model Search returns to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). From CityDog:
ALL dogs are welcome to enter for the chance to be on the cover of CityDog, and because all dogs are super models, each and every canine contestant will get their photo in the magazine! $10 per dog to benefit the Doney Memorial Animal Clinic.
Simply swing by West Seattle Thriftway between noon and 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, and CityDog Magazine will snap a photo of your pooch for the chance to be on the cover!
CityDog is 10 years old this year, by the way (human years, anyway).
(April 2015 photo by Caryn Johnson)
A new achievement for West Seattle High School baseball player Morgan McCullough, last mentioned here when he became a regional All-Star. From his proud mom Jane Muxen McCullough:
Morgan McCullough, a WSHS 2016 Senior, has been selected to the 2015 USA Baseball 18U National Team. The team will look to defend its gold medal from the 2013 WBSC 18U/AAA World Cup when it competes in the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Nashinomiya, Japan later this month thru early September.
Morgan’s batting average for WSHS last season was an amazing .552.
Almost seven years after the news that Dr. Jill Wakefield was being promoted from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) president to chancellor of its parent system, she has decided to retire. From this afternoon’s announcement:
After 40 years with Seattle Colleges, Chancellor Jill Wakefield has announced her retirement, effective June 2016. She was appointed as chancellor in 2009, becoming the district’s first female in that position. When she retires, she will be the longest-serving chancellor in the district’s history.
Dr. Wakefield started with the district as a program assistant in the veterans office at South Seattle Community College, then served as public information officer, director of development, vice president for institutional advancement, and vice president for instruction, as well as president from 2003 to 2008. She succeeded Charles Mitchell as chancellor.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to have spent my professional career with Seattle Colleges,†says Dr. Wakefield. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to represent this great district and its talented educators and staff, and I believe we have a solid foundation in place to educate tomorrow’s workforce.â€
Dr. Wakefield’s focus this final year includes:
· Getting more students to the finish line by improving recruitment, retention, and completion.
· Meeting workforce training needs in high-demand areas.
· Continuing to offer high-demand, high-quality transfer programs with clear pathways to universities.
· Establishing sustainable public and private funding sources.
· Ensuring the new Health Education Center in Pacific Tower is fully operational. …A subcommittee of the board will lead the search for a new chancellor.
Read more about Dr. Wakefield and the transition here.
West Seattle’s newest mural has just been finished. If you don’t recognize the building via the telltale marquee – this is Shack Coffee in Luna Park, 2920 SW Avalon Way, where artist Jesse Link completed the mural less than an hour before we stopped by for a photo, according to Shack staff. Link’s mural spans the north wall, along the parking lot that Shack Coffee shares with Luna Park Café. You’ve probably seen Link’s work before; he’s been featured at several West Seattle businesses during monthly Art Walks. Checking online examples of his work, you’ll note that wildlife is frequently part of it.
New from the city files today: An early-stage proposal for 10 houses and one duplex at 3710-3722 21st SW on Pigeon Point (map). The north side of the site faces a Seattle Parks-owned slope over the West Seattle bridge; the south side, SW Charlestown. The 12 new homes would replace two single-family houses, one more than a century old, the other, 58 years old. Documents in the online files suggest the site’s been under consideration for development for at least two years. Brad Khouri is the architect.
Something new this year from West Seattle’s cooperative preschools: A “multi-age” co-op class. We found out about it while talking recently with Judy Hall, who oversees the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools program that has operated for years at multiple locations around this area. As explained on the flyer:
Have you ever been curious about cooperative preschool but couldn’t quite make it fit your schedule? Do you have more than one preschool-age child? Could you use a little parent coaching to smooth out the rough spots in your parenting journey? Would you benefit from finding a strong support system of parents like you?
If so, you can contact Judy to find out about possibly being part of the new program, which will meet Fridays at the Alki Co-op Preschool site. She’s at jhall@southseattle.edu and 206-938-2278.
P.S. Again this fall, the Cooperative Preschools will be the beneficiary of the West Seattle Monster Dash. It’s set for Saturday, October 24th, at Lincoln Park, 5K at 9 am and kids’ dash at 10 am, costumes encouraged (with a contest at 10:30) – you can register by going here.
(Bushtit, photographed by Danny McMillin and shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Lots on the calendar for today/tonight, and what follows is only part of it!
GET INSPIRED: Noon-1:15 pm drop-in brown-bag-lunch meetup at Office Junction (WSB sponsor) for entrepreneurs, non-traditional workers, anybody interested in networking and getting inspired. RSVP if you can. (6030 California SW)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, fresh produce sold right next to this urban mini-farm – more info in our calendar listing. (32nd SW & Juneau)
RESTAURANT REOPENS: Harry’s Chicken Joint is scheduled to reopen today after 2 1/2 weeks of remodeling. (6032 California SW)
HEALTHY FAMILIES CELEBRATION: 5:30-8 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, open to all, with dozens of health-service providers on hand as well as free food and free school supplies, plus games and field-day activities for kids. Details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)
KAYAK AND LEARN, ON THE DUWAMISH RIVER: This week’s community kayak tour focuses on Native American history, with Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe. 6 pm – departure location TBA when you RSVP; details in our calendar listing.
FREE COMMUNITY MEDITATION: 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FRISBEE PICKUP GAME: WSUFF’s Wednesday night pickup games are now at 6 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. (34th SW & Myrtle)
PARKS SUPERINTENDENT AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: The “listening tour” continues for new Seattle Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, with a stop tonight at Alki Community Center, 6:30 pm. (5817 SW Stevens)
34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: The group now meets in West Seattle, and its monthly meeting is at 7 tonight at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle. (3618 SW Alaska)
OPEN MICROPHONE: 7:30 pm signup for spots onstage starting at 8:30 pm at The Skylark in North Delridge. Free, 21+, recordings available for purchase. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:04 AM: Good morning! Nothing reported currently on routes in or from West Seattle and vicinity.
REMINDER – 2 WEEKEND CLOSURES: Highway 99 closes both ways from the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley St. in lower Queen Anne next weekend, Friday night (August 21) to early Monday (August 24) – details and maps here. … On Sunday morning, Alki/Harbor Avenues will close for the Alki Beach 5K (9 am start, but parking restrictions start earlier that morning).
7:46 AM: If you’re headed toward Beacon Hill, note that SDOT is tracking a crash at Spokane/Columbian. No SFD callout so far, so apparently no injuries.
9:13 AM: “Late” commuters beware. Stalled vehicle on Northbound 99 just north of the stadiums – thanks to the texter (206-293-6302 any time!) who just reported it (saying it has “cones around it”) and the commenter – it has just now been mentioned on the scanner, too.
| Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Donation drive; Garden Party; free movie; Duwamish Revealed; more…